Papa’s Pilar Rum Hemingway 5K Sunset Run/Walk and Paddleboard Race Set for July 23

KEY WEST, Florida Keys — Runners, fitness walkers and paddleboard enthusiasts can test their skills and celebrate Ernest Hemingway’s sporting lifestyle Saturday, July 23, during the Papa’s Pilar Rum Hemingway 5K Sunset Run/Walk and Paddleboard Race. This is the longest on-going race in Key West, and Active.com has named it #3 on its list of top ten international destination races to turn into a vacation.

The athletic challenges are part of Hemingway Days, a six-day commemoration of the life and work of the author who lived and wrote in Key West for most of the 1930s.

Papa’s Pilar Rum is named for Hemingway’s fishing boat, Pilar, which he used often during his Key West years.

The Lazy Dog Paddleboard Race is to kick off at 6 p.m. at the island city’s Southernmost Beach, 1405 Duval St. on the Atlantic Ocean. Competitors are tasked with paddling a 3-mile ocean course before finishing back at the beach.

The popular 5K run/walk is to begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Southernmost Point in the continental United States, oceanfront at Whitehead and South streets. Participants race through picturesque Old Town Key West, past landmarks including the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, Green Parrot Bar, the Key West Lighthouse and Customs House as they complete the fast, flat 3.1-mile course.

Afterwards, a post-race awards party is scheduled outside on the beach by the Southernmost Beach Café with food, libations, a silent auction and raffles.

Paddleboard awards are to be presented to the first- through 10th-place male and female finishers. Top first- through third place male and female race boards. In the 5K, awards await the top three male and female overall finishers, top three male and female masters, and top three male and female finishers in five-year age categories ranging from 9 and under to 75 and over. Great prizes will go to the overall winners.

In addition, finisher medals will be awarded to those competing in both challenges. A registration booth is to be open 3-7 p.m. race day at the Southernmost Hotel parking lot at the corner of Duval and South streets. Race packets, bibs and shirts can be picked up there.

Interested participants can register online at active.com or download registration forms by visiting www.keywestspecialevents.com.

The entry fee includes a collectible race tech shirt, chip timing, custom bibs, food, finisher medals, libations and lots of great giveaways including Caribbean Resort Trips for up to four!.

Proceeds benefit Key West Sunrise Rotary Scholarship Fund and the FKCC Youth Swim Program.

Sponsored in part by Monroe County Tourist Development Council, Papa’s Pilar Rum, Islamorada Beer Company, Southernmost Beach Resort Key West, The Westin Key West Resort, Key West Aloe, Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe, Elite Caribbean Resorts, Cliff Bar, and prizes from many great Key West establishments.

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